Welwyn Garden City play area’s anti-yob barrier blow
PROPOSALS to install an automatic security barrier at an anti-social behaviour ‘hotspot’ look set to be thrown out by councillors tonight.
Residents, whose lives have been blighted for years by yobbish behaviour, have asked Welwyn Hatfield Council to fund a �12,000 electronic barrier at the entrance to the car park of Moneyhole Playing Fields in Panshanger, WGC.
This, they believe, would stop youths entering the area in their cars late at night and consequently help reduce anti-social behaviour.
But the council’s social overview and scrutiny committee is being advised to reject this request when it meets tonight.
In a report to the committee, Carol Rigby, head of leisure and community services, said: “We are not convinced that a barrier would solve the problem, as misuse of the pressure pads would still allow vehicles to enter the car park.”
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Residents hoped that funds to install the barrier could be provided from the council’s Community Chest.
However, Ms Rigby said: “This type of barrier could not be funded from the Community Chest budget as there are ongoing revenue implications.”
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As an alternative, Ms Rigby recommends that councillors introduce temporary CCTV cameras in the car park.
Wyton resident TK Choo, who has led calls for the council to fund a security barrier, expressed disappointment at the report.
He added: “We sincerely hope the committee comes to a different conclusion.”
The meeting, which is open to the public, will take place in the council chamber at Campus West in WGC.
It starts at 7.30pm.
